An Update of One Aspect of Monitoring, Support and Technical Assistance Available Through the State Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education December 2013

Why Focused Monitoring? The federal Office of Special Education Services (OSEP) requires state education agencies to monitoring and report on the implementation of IDEA. One way in which the State conducts this monitoring is through the Focused Monitoring (FM) process.

Why Focused Monitoring? The FM process includes both compliance monitoring as well as active support and technical assistance to support districts in addressing identified data of concern toward improving outcomes for students with disabilities.

Focused Monitoring Process Alignment with State Strategic Improvement Plan (SSIP) OSEP’s implemented a new requirement that each State Education Agency develop a State Systemic Improvement Plan (Indicator 17 of the State Performance Plan) In addition to improving outcomes for students with disabilities, the Focused Monitoring process will serve to inform the development of the SSIP.

Focused Monitoring Process Alignment with State Strategic Improvement Plan (SSIP) This year’s FM process has been purposefully adapted to reflect the basic format of the SSIP:  Data Analysis;  Identification of the Focus for Improvement;  Infrastructure to Support Improvement and Build Capacity; and  Theory of Action.

Participating Districts The data of concern for the districts chosen to participate in Focused Monitoring includes issues related to the following data points:  Disproportionate Identification by Disability  Graduation / Drop Out Rate  Suspension or Expulsion Rate for Greater than 10 Days  Least Restrictive Environment Data Districts may have been identified with one or a combination of the bulleted items above as data of concern.

Participating Districts Because of the added goal of informing the development of the SSIP, FM districts were chosen in two ways:

Participating Districts 1) those districts identified as being most in need of additional support and technical assistance toward addressing their data of concern. These districts carry a designation of “selected” districts. Selected districts did not have well-articulated plans of action related to the identified data of concern and/or have been identified with significant need for assistance.

Participating Districts 2) those districts identified as having well- articulated plans of action related to the identified data of concern. These districts carry a designation of “study” districts. For study districts, the focus of the FM process is to identify the aspects of the interventions and activities that have brought them success toward addressing the data of concern as well as to assist them in continued improvement.

The Focused Monitoring Process The portion of the Focused Monitoring process specifically designed to focus on IDEA compliance was conducted earlier this year through the student file reviews. The remaining Focused Monitoring activities are designed to offer district- specific support and technical assistance.

Support and Technical Assistance In order to best support each district in the FM process, two teams of professionals will come together to participate in facilitated activities; a state consultant team and a district team.

Support and Technical Assistance The state consultant team is composed of two Bureau of Special Education (BSE) consultants, two State Education Resource Center (SERC) consultants, and one Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center (CPAC) consultant.

Support and Technical Assistance In order to make participation in the FM activities most meaningful, we recommend that the district team include:  Data Manager or staff member with the ability to access and query district data as the FM activities are conducted,  Director of Special Education,  Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, or Director of Curriculum,  At least two principals (if possible, one elementary and one MS/HS),  If desired, the district may also include up to two additional staff of the district’s choosing.

Support and Technical Assistance Sessions Your State Consultant Team will consult with you to schedule four in-district FM sessions. Districts participating as a “selected” district have specific activities planned for each of the four in- district sessions, “Study” districts have specific activities planned for two of the four in-district sessions and will choose available options related to further participation and/or content for the remaining two sessions.

Support and Technical Assistance Sessions All districts will be required to offer stakeholders two, pre-created electronic surveys: a parent survey and a staff survey. These surveys are available through survey monkey. The results of the surveys are designed to inform the activities of the in-district FM sessions.

Support and Technical Assistance Sessions for “selected” districts… NOTE: For all sessions, teams will require meeting space with a table, chairs and wall/board space for several hanging charts

What is the benefit of being an FM district designated as “selected”? In addition to the support and technical assistance activities associated with the standard FM process, “selected” districts could receive additional support the following year at low or no cost. Also, depending on the pace of completion of the standard FM activities, “selected” districts may even have time to use remaining sessions for additional professional development related to the data of concern during their in-district sessions!

Support and Technical Assistance Sessions for “selected” districts… Session 1: Full Day Session  Part 1 - Data Analysis – comprehensive root cause analysis and district opportunity to explore self- selected data of concern  Part 2 – Identification of Focus for Improvement – Narrowing the FM activities to address one, possibly two, areas of concern on which to focus. Completion of specific sections of a district self- reflection document and a listing of recent PD offerings will be assigned to take place between Sessions 1 and 2.

Support and Technical Assistance Sessions for “selected” districts… Session 2: up to a Full Day Session  Part 1 - Infrastructure to Support Improvement and Build Capacity – an exploration of the district’s resources related to: governance, fiscal practices, quality standards, professional development, use of data, accountability, and family engagement  Part 2 – Theory of Action Planning – development of an action plan to address selected area(s) of Focus for Improvement Completion of specific sections of a district self- reflection document will be assigned to take place between Sessions 2 and 3.

Support and Technical Assistance Sessions for “selected” districts… Sessions 3-4: typically half-day but may be extended as needed  Continued activities to facilitate the district’s theory of action plan development and completion  If all else is completed, district feedback of the FM process  If all else is completed, district will participate in half or full day PD/TA through CSDE/SERC on area specific to Focus for Improvement

Support and Technical Assistance Sessions for “study” districts… NOTE: For all sessions, teams will require meeting space with a table, chairs and wall/board space for several hanging charts

What is the benefit of being a “study” district? In addition to the support and technical assistance activities associated with the standard FM process, “study’ districts have the opportunity to receive additional professional development sessions related to the data of concern.

Support and Technical Assistance Sessions for “study” districts… Session 1: Full Day Session  Part 1 - Data Analysis – comprehensive review of the district’s data of concern and the established plan for addressing that data. Districts will also have the opportunity to explore self-selected data of concern  Part 2 – Identification of Focus for Improvement – Identify what the district chose as their plan’s focus. Completion of specific sections of a district self- reflection document and a listing of recent PD offerings will be assigned to take place between Sessions 1 and 2.

Support and Technical Assistance Sessions for “study” districts… Session 2: up to a Full Day Session  Part 1 - Infrastructure to Support Improvement and Build Capacity – an exploration of the district’s resources related to: governance, fiscal practices, quality standards, professional development, use of data, accountability, and family engagement  Part 2 – Theory of Action Planning – an exploration of the district’s promising practices related to their plan for addressing the data of concern Completion of specific sections of a district self- reflection document will be assigned to take place between session 2 and 3.

Support and Technical Assistance Sessions for “study” districts… Sessions 3-4: typically half-day but may be extended as needed  Completion of any Session 1-2 incomplete activities  If all requirements of FM are completed, the district has a choice of 1) exit the FM process or 2) participate in half or full day PD/TA through CSDE/SERC on area specific to Focus for Improvement

Progress Monitoring It is anticipated that all in-district sessions will be completed by the close of the school year. Three progress monitoring conferences for the Theory of Action Plans developed by “selected” districts will occur at six month intervals (i.e., January 2015, June 2015, and January 2016).

Progress Monitoring During these progress monitoring conferences, “selected” districts will have an opportunity to:  discuss their progress on the Theory of Action Plan,  receive assistance in adjusting the plan as necessary,  receive feedback regarding their results

Progress Monitoring Progress monitoring conferences will be conducted between the district and the CSDE Coordinator of Focused Monitoring Conferences will be arranged at mutually agreeable times and may be conducted in person of via teleconference.

Progress Monitoring Unless otherwise determined by the State:  “study” districts’ FM progress monitoring activities are concluded after completion of Session 4 or if opting out after Session 2. No additional FM progress monitoring conferences will occur after that time  “selected” districts’ FM progress monitoring activities are concluded after completion of the January 2016 progress monitoring conference

Contact For general questions related to the Focused Monitoring process and activities, please contact: Jay Brown,CSDE, BSE Consultant, Nikki Hendry,SERC Consultant, ext. 255 After your Focused Monitoring process has begun, your state consultant team will be your primary contacts.